Safety razor



Nov. 6, 1956 A, J, LENMQDy SR K 2,769,232

SAFETY RAZOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 30, 1953 5.5 INVENTOR. ALBERT J.LE0NARD SR.

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ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 A. J. LEONARD, SR 2,769,232

SAFETY RAZOR Filed Nov. 5o, 1953 2 sheets-snee*L 2 TTORNEY United States Patent SAFETY RAZOR Albert J. Leonard, Sr., Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 30, 1953, Serial No. 395,111

10 Claims. (Cl. 30-60.5)

My invention relates generally to cutting instruments and more particularly to razors of the safety type embodying a replaceable blade. i

An object of my invention is to provide a safety razor which is structurally characterized by simple, rugged and positively operating means by which a blade such as one of the double edged ilexible variety, for example, canbe precisely supported and locked in a predetermined shaving position for close Vor lighter shaving, yet can be released and rendered conveniently accessible for removal and replacement whenever a new blade is required, all with the utmost ease and dispatch.

Another object of my invention is to provide a safety razor which embodies a handle having a shaving head including a guard element and cover sections movably mounted to occupy open and closed positions for coaction with the guard element when the cover sections are closed, in clamping the blade in a llexed position between the guard element and cover sections and with the cutting edges of the blade exposed and precisely positioned for shaving, upon relative axial adjustment of telescopically associated sections of the handle, which are adapted to be instantly locked in any adjusted position by a rotary motion imparted to a locking device mounted on the handle, all in such manner that the blade can be instantly released for removal upon a reverse rotational movement of the locking device followed by a reverse relative axial adjustment of the handle sections, whereby to enable, a blade to be changed with the utmost ease and dispatch.

With these and other objects in view, my invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements as set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a View showing in end elevation, one form of safety razor embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in side elevation, of the razor in its closed position;

Figure 4 is a top plan position;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the head portion of the razor and showing its closed position;

' Figure 6 is alongitudinal sectional view takenon the line 6 6 of Figure position; U

Figure 7 Vis a view similar to Figure 6 with the razor in its open position;

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 6, and illustrating the locking device embodied in my invention; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a spring member ernbodied in the locking device.

Referring specifically to the dra-wings, my invention in its illustrated embodiment comprises a'shaving head S and view of the razor in its open 2, and showing the razor in-its closed "ice a handle H, the handle being composed of tubular, cylindrical and open ended sections 10 and 11 telescopically associated for relative axial movement between the sections. A guard element 12 of generally rectangular form in plan, has projecting from one side thereof a centrally located shank 13 which is press fitted into one end of the inner handle section 10 so as to be rigidly and pennanently secured in perpendicularV relationship to the latter.

From the other side of the guard element 12 projects a locater rib 14 which is adapted to be received in the usual central longitudinal slot 15 of a conventional double edged llexible razor blade B, the length of which is slightly less than the length of the guard element. The width of the guard element exceeds the width of the blade and has continuous guard llanges 16 which are rounded at 17 on the side of the element confronting the blade. Slots 18 are provided in the guard element adjacent to and parallel withthe flanges 16 for the free passage of Whisker cuttings and soap or shaving cream to prevent clogging of the blade.

The outer handle section 11 is suitably knurled to enable it to be securely gripped, and has at one end thereof oppositely projecting lateral extensions forming a bracket 20. The bracket 20 is a generally rectangular plate having an opening receiving the reduced end portion of the outer handle section which is crimped over the plate as indicated at 21 to rigidly and permanently secure the bracket in perpendicular relationship to the outer handle section.

Co-actable with the guard element 12 is a cover C composed of two identical mating sections 25 each of which has a curved top wall 26 and end walls 27. The end walls 27 are connected to the ends of the guard element 12 for pivotal movement, by pins 28 which vproject from'the cover sections into ears V29'11`ormed on the guard element at the ends of the guard flanges 16 as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Pivotally connected by pins 30 to the end walls 27 are pairs of links 31 which are pivotally connected by pins 32 to llanges 33 formed on the ends of the bracket 20, all so that upon relative axial movement of the handle sections 10 and 11 in one direction, the cover sections 25 will be swung about their respective pivots on the guard element to the open position shown in Figures 4 and 7 to permit application or removal of the blade B, whereas upon relative axial movement of the handle sec-tions in the reverse direction, the cover sections will be swung to their closed position shown in Figures 5 and 6.

- In the closed position of the cover sections 2S the confronting edges of their top walls 26 and end walls 27 meet llush at 26a and 27a, respectively, for yco-action of the cover sections with theguard element in rigidly supporting the blade in a flexed condition with the blade enclosed with -its cutting edges 34 exposed on the guard element at the slots 18 for shaving.

' Cams 35 are formed on-theinner sides of the cover sections 25 along their outer edges and are co-extensive in length `with the length of the blade B to engage the latter adjacent to its cutting edges 34 and rigidly clamp the blade in its Figure 6.

- A locking device designated generally at L co-acts with the handle sections 10 and 11 to lock them in any relative axial position of adjustment, all so that the cover sections will be locked inopen or closedposition. This locking device comprises a knurled actuating member or knob 40 of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the outer handle section 11 and having a shank 41 of reduced diameter rotatable in the handle section 11. At its free end the shank 41 is further reduced in diameter and is annularly grooved to form an annular lug or shoulder 43 flexed position for shaving, as shown inl from which the wall of the shank is annularly beveled inwardly as shown at 44.

The inner end of the inner` handle section 1l) is slightly reduced in diameter and its Wall isreduced in thickness and provided with a longitudinal slot 45 so as. to render such portion of the inner handle sectionresilient and expansible. The extremity of the inner handle section, is beveled annularly as shown at 46V from an annular lug or shoulder 47 so that with the inner handle section 10 and the shank 41 of the actuating member 4t) inserted into opposite ends of the outer handle member it and forced into engagement with each other, the bevels 44 and t6 will co-'act to expandl the resilient end portion of the inner handle sectionil()l suiciently for it` to be sprung over the inner end of the shank41 and the opposed shoulders 43 and 47 to interengage. The actuating member 4i) is thus operatively connected permanently to the inner handle section Miter axial movement of the latter by the actuating member, yet rendering the actuating member rotatable independentlyv of the inner handle section.

The shankV 41 of the actuating member 4@ is provided externally with cam grooves 50 equally spaced circumferentially and receiving wedge shaped cams 51. The cams 51 constitute friction shoes and have working surfaces 52 corresponding in curvature to the internal surface of the outer handle section 11. A split spring ring 53 is sprung into an annular groove 54 formed in the shank di adjacent to the grooves 50 and is provided with lateraily disposed spring arms equally spaced circumferentialiy and corresponding in number to that of the cams 551. The arms 5S project from the ring 53 through grooves S6 in the shank 41, with the free ends of the arms being bent into U shape as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and partially received in pockets 57 in the shank 41. The tree extremities of the arms 55 engage the larger end of the respective cams 51 as shown in Figure 8 and urge the cams circumferentiaily into the grooves 5t), all for a purpose to be described in the operation of the invention which is as follows:

With the cover sections 25 occupying the open position shown in Figures 4 and 7, they may be frictionally locked in such position by grasping the outer handle section 11 with one hand and rotating the knob 40 of the locking device L with the other hand in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8, so as to cause the cams Sti to iam tightly against the outer handie section 11 and thus prevent relative axial movement between the latter and the inner handle section 10.

he blade B is now'inserted between the open cover sections 25 so as to be supported on the guard element 12 with the locater rib 1d projecting through the bladev slot 5,5 to dispose the blade in a predetermined xed position on the guard element.V By now rotating the knob in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8, the cams 51 will release the outer handle section 11 for relative axial movement between the latter and the inner handle section by means of the knob 40 from the one extreme position shown in Figure 7 to the other extreme position shown in Figure 6, thus exerting a pulling force upon the links 31 to cause same to swing the cover sections 25 to their closed position shown in Figure 6.

As the cover sections approach closed position-their cams 35 engage the blade B adjacent to the respective cutting edges 34 of the blade and ex the blade upon the guard element as closing movement of the cover sections continues. ln the fully closed position of the cover sections, the blade will be rigidly clamped between the cover and guard element, with the cutting edges of the blade exposed and precisely related to the guard element for shaving.

By now rotating the knob 40 in a counterclockwise direction the outer handle section 11 and the inner handle section 1i) will again be frictionally locked by the cams 51 against relative axial movement so as to lock the cover sections V in closed position. The type of shave from light to close may be; varied by axially adjusting the handle sections 10 and 11 relatively a suiticient amount for the cover sections 25 to clamp the blade more or less tightly with a corresponding variation in the iiexure of the blade to cause its cutting edges 34 to move away from the guard element for closer shaving and towards the guard element for lighter shaving.

It will be manifest that by reversing this operation the blade can be instantly removed and a new blade inserted whenever required, so as to greatly facilitate and expedite the shavingand enable any type of shave to be obtained by locking the blade in various exed position with respect to the guard element.

I claim:

1. A safety razor comprising: a shaving head including a guard element and a cover movably mounted thereon to occupy open and closed positions to accordingly release a blade or clamp same between the cover and guardelement -with the cutting edge of the blade exposed for shaving; a handle composed of telescopically associated sections, to one of which the guard element is fixed; means operatively connecting the other handle section to said cover for movement of the latter to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially from one extreme position to another; an actuating member; means operatively connecting said actuating member to said onehandle section for said axial movement with the latter as a unit and for rotational movement independently of said one handle section; and cam means interposed between the perimeter of said actuating member and the confronting annular surface of said other handle section, co-acting with the latter and and handle in response 4to relative rotational movement therebetween in one direction, to lock the handle sections against said relative axial movement.

2. A safety razor comprising: a shaving head including a guard element and a cover movably mounted thereon to occupy open and closed positions to accordingly release a blade or clamp same between the cover and guard element with the cutting edge of the blade exposed for shaving; a handle composed of telescopically associated sections, to one of which the guard element is fixed; means operatively connecting the other handle section to said cover for movement of the latter to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially from one extreme position to another; an actuating knob having a shank projecting into one end of said one handle section to operatively connect the latter and actuating knob for said relative axial movement as a unit, yet render the actuating knob free for rotational movement independently of saidv one handle section; and cam means interposed between said shank and said other handle section, responsive to relative rotational movement therebetween in one direction, to frictionally lock the handle sections against said relative axial movement.

3. A safety razor comprising: a shaving head including a guard element and a cover movably mounted thereon to occupy open and closed positions to accordingly release a blade or clamp same between the cover and guard element with the cutting edge of the blade Yexposed for shaving; a handle composed of telescopically associated sections, to one of which the guard element is xed; means operatively connectingr the other handle section to said cover for movement of the latter to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially from one extreme position to another; an actuating knob having a shank projecting into one end of said one handle section to operatively connect the latter and actuating knobfor said relative axial movement as a unit, yet render the actuating knob free for rotational movement independently of said one handle section; said shank having circumferentially extending cam grooves; andy cams working in said groovesand engaging the inner wall of said other handle section for co-action therewith in frictionally locking said handle sections together against said relative axial movement in response to relative rotational movement between said knob and handle in one direction. Y

4. A safety razor comprising: a shaving head including a guard element and a Vcover movably` mounted thereon to occupy open Vand closed lpositions to accordingly release a blade or clamp same between lthe cover and guard element with the cutting edge ofi the blade exposed for shaving; a' handle composed ofv telescopically associated sections, to one of which the guard element is fixed; means operatively connecting the other handle section to said cover for movement of the latter to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially from one extreme position to another; an actuating knob having a shank projecting into one end of said one handle section to operatively connect the latter and actuating knob for said relative axial movement as a unit, yet render the actuating knob free for rotational movement independently of said one handle section; said shank having circumferentially extending wedge shaped cam grooves externally thereof and an external annular groove adjacent thereto; cams working in said cam grooves and engaging the inner wall of said other handle section; and a spring ring received in said annular groove and having spring arms engaging said cams for co-action of the latter with said other handle section in frictionally locking said handle sections together against said relative axial movement, in response to relative rotational movement between said knob and handle in one direction.

5. A safety razor comprising: a shaving head including a guard element and a cover movably mounted thereon to occupy open and closed positions to accordingly release a blade or clamp same between the cover and guard element with the cutting edge of the blade exposed for shaving; a handle composed of inner and outer handle sections telescopically associated; said guard element being rigidly supported on one end of said inner handle section; means operatively connecting said outer handle section to said cover for movement of the latter to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially from one extreme position to another; an actuating knob havinga shank at one end projecting into an end of said outer handle section; said inner handle section and shank having interengaging annular shoulders operatively connecting them for axial movement of said inner handle section and knob as a unit, yet rendering the knob free for rotational movement independently of the inner handle section; and means co-acting with said shank and outer handle section in response to relative rotational movement therebetween, to lock the handle sections against relative axial movement.

6. A safety razor comprising: a handle composed of telescopically associated inner and outer handle sections; a guard element having blade locating means and being rigidly supported on one end of said inner handle section; cover sections pivotally mounted on said guard element at opposite sides thereof for movement towards and away from each other to closed and open positions, respectively; means operatively connecting said cover lsections to said outer handle section for movement by the latter to open or closed .position according as the handle'sections are relatively moved axially to one ex- -treme position or another; said cover sections having means co-acting with said guard element to flex a double edged flexible blade on the latter with the cutting edges exposed in positions for shaving, when the cover sections are moved to closed position; and cam means intei-posed between the perimeter of the inner handle section and the confronting annular surface of the outer handle section, operable to lock the handle sections against relative axial movement by a wedging action in response to relative rotational movement between the sections in one direction.

7. A safety razor comprising: a handle composed of telescopicallyv associated inner and outer handle sections; a guard element having blade locating means and being rigidly supported'on one end of said inner handle section; cover sections pivotally mounted on said guard element at oppositesides thereof for movement towards and away from each other toV closed and open positions, respectively; links operatively connecting the outer handle section to said cover sections for movement of the latter to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially in one direction or the other; said cover sections co-acting with said guard element to flex a double edged exible blade on the guard element with the cutting edges of the blade exposed in positions for shaving, when the cover sections are moved to closed position; and means for locking the handle sections against relative axial movement.

8. A safety razor comprising: a handle composed of telescopically associated inner and outer handle sections; a guard element having blade `locating means and being rigidly supported on one end of said inner handle section; cover sections having end walls; means pivotally connecting the end walls of the respective cover sections to the guard element at opposite sides thereof to mount the cover sections for movement towards and away from each other to occupy closed and open positions, respectively; a pair of links for each cover section; means pivotally connecting the links at one end to said end walls of the respective cover sections; means pivotally connecting the links at the other end to said outer handle section for movement of the cover sections to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially in one direction or the other; said cover sections co-acting with said guard element to flex a double edged flexible blade on the guard element with the cutting edges of the blade exposed in positions for shaving, when the cover sections are moved to closed position; and means for locking the handle sections against relative axial movement.

9. A safety razor comprising: a handle composed of telescopically associated inner and outer handle sections.; a guard element having blade locating means and being rigidly supported on one end of said inner handle section; a bracket rigidly supported on the corresponding end of said outer handle section; two mating cover sections having end walls; means pivotally connecting the end walls of the respective cover sections to the guard element at opposite sides thereof to mount the cover sections for movement towards and away from each other to occupy open and closed positions; a pair of links for each cover section; means pivotally connecting said links at one end to said end walls of the respective cover sections; means pivotally connecting the links at the other end to said bracket for movement of the cover sections to open or closed position according as the handle sections are relatively moved axially in one direction or the other; said cover sections having cams co-acting with said guard element to flex a double edged flexible blade on the guard element with the cutting edges of the blade exposed for shaving, when the cover sections are moved to closed position; and means for locking the handle sections against relative axial movement.

10. A safety razor comprising: a handle composed of telescopically associated inner and outer handle sections; a guard element having blade locating means and being rigidly supported on one end of said inner handle section; a bracket rigidly supported on the corresponding end of 1 said outer handle section; two mating cover sections with '7 means pivotally connecting the links at the other end to isaid 'bracket for movement of the 4cover sections `to open yor closed position according as the handle sections Aare relatively moved axially in one direction or the other; said cover sections 'having cams disposed to engage a double edged flexible blade adjacent to the cutting edges thereof and to `ilex said Iblade on'the guard element with the cutting edges exposed for shaving, when the cover Vsections are moved to closed position; and means for locking the `handle sections against relative movement.

References 'Cited in the le of this patent Y V451,716 1o Y UNITED STATES PATENTS Testi Mar. l, 1932 Muros July 23, 1935 Nelson Feb. 20, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Italy Sept. 26, 1949 

